The Wellesley Training Ship

Following the passage of legislation relating to the treatment of “delinquents” in 1866, James Hall of Tynemouth and a group of other local philanthropists purchased the training ship Cornwall from the Admiralty in 1868. As the Admiralty wished to retain the name Cornwall the ship was re-named the Wellesley. The ship provided an education for boys who were deemed as being destitute or suffering from parental neglect. The original aims of the training ship were to give shelter for the homeless and provide training and education that would equip the boys for a life at sea.

By 1873 a larger ship was needed – H.M.S. Boscawen was purchased and again re-named Wellesley. This ship continued to serve as a training vessel until 1914 when it was destroyed in a fire. Throughout the duration of First World War the boys were housed in the Tynemouth Palace and when war ended it was agreed that the school would find a permanent shore base. On 18 May 1920 the school moved from Tynemouth to Blyth. At the outbreak of war in 1939, the school was evacuated to Hamsterley, County Durham, and finally returned to Blyth after the war.

Boys on parade on the deck of H.M.S Wellesley c.1900
Boys on parade on the deck of H.M.S Wellesley c.1900

 

Green’s Home Industrial School in South Shields was certified as a branch of H.M.S. Wellesley on 19 December 1884. The school accommodated up to 60 boys up to the age of 12. At the age of 12 the boys were generally transferred to H.M.S. Wellesley for training in seamanship. The Training Ship Minute Books give information about life and practices on board the ship. Discipline was strict and the boys schooling and physical exercise was of prime importance. There were football, cricket, athletics and rugby teams and the boys also did gymnastics, tug of war and rowing. They also learnt life skills such as cooking and sewing.

 

Boys undertaking physical exercise c.1960
Boys undertaking physical exercise c.1960
Boys sewing c.1940
Boys sewing c.1940
Boys practicing semaphore c.1920
Boys practicing semaphore c.1920

 

Local Hero

John Buckley became a trainee on board the Wellesley on 2 August 1894. He appears in the admissions register aged 12 and was sent to the ship due to a refusal to attend school. He  was discharged on 19 July 1898. John became a hero after saving the life of a fellow trainee. At 2.45pm on 1 December 1897, William Linscott fell overboard into the Tyne and was carried away by the current. John Buckley jumped into the river and managed to keep hold of Linscott until a boat came to pick them up. Due to his bravery he was put forward for an award by the captain of the Wellesley. On 22 December the fifteen year old was awarded the Large Bronze Medal by the Royal Humane Society for carrying out a successful rescue involving great personal risk. John Buckley later went on to join the Royal Navy Reserve as a Stoker, qualifying for the First World War British War Medal and Mercantile Marine Medal.

 

Minute Book Entry 16 December 1897
Minute Book Entry
16 December 1897

 

The Captain Superintedent mentioned that some day previously a Wellesley boy, William Linscott fell overboard, when another Wellesley boy, John Buckley, aged 151/2 years , without divesting himself of his clothing jumped overboard, caught hold of Linscott and held him till rescue came, both being then much exhausted. It was agreed to give 5 shilling each to two Watermen whose assistance saved the boys from drowning; and it was understood that Buckley would receive a medal from the Royal Humane Society.

39 thoughts on “The Wellesley Training Ship”

  1. 1891 MY husband’s Grandfather Thomas Sanderson Purvis was a schoolmaster at the Green’s Home industrial School, Mile End Road .
    On the 1891 Census: OFFICER. Married. School Manager. of above. Wellesly

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  2. I would love to know if my Father went to this school as he was sent to the Training ship HMS Wellesley and on the 4th of June 1919 he was on board a ship called “Le Coq” and gave his home address as WellesleyTTS. His name is William Walter Henry Case.

    I am his daughter Mrs Janice Cunningham nee Case

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    • Hello, I will pass your enquiry on to our member of staff who deals with research. All staff are still working from home but he can contact you and discuss what may be possible when we return to the office.

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  3. William Petty Ashcroft was in charge of HMS Wellesley towards the end of his naval career . He was born 15 Feb 1823 Pembroke Dock and died 1897 Tynemouth . In his Reminiscences he tells the story of how as a Royal Navy Signaller he was the first person to raise the Royal Standard on the island of Hong Kong
    Billy .

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  4. We were told that my grandfather was on the Wellesley for the crime of stealing a pigeon. He was taught to swim by having a rope tied around his waist, and thrown into the Tyne! True or not? He was on the training ship for four years. Family lore, but maybe embellished?
    His name was John Edward Mather. He was a nice man, so probably destitute rather than a delinquent.

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    • Thank you for your comment. We are actually posting about the Wellesley again on our Facebook page today.

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  5. My grandfathers brother (great uncle?) was an inmate on the 1911 census. Would there be records for when and why children where sent here?

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  6. We’ve just found out my Grandfather was also on this ship around 1911. We’d love to know what he’d done to be sent there. His name, Hugh Annan.

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  7. My great uncle Samuel Arkless was, I believe, on the Wellesley in 1891. Then he is lost to the record. Are there files on individuals in the archive?

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    • Hello, we have admission and discharge registers but not individual files on the boys.

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  8. Would you be able to tell me anything about George Cartwright from Stourbridge who age 14 is listed on the 1911 census as being on Tyne Training Ship Wellesley. He joined the Royal Navy in 1913 and appears to have been a bit of a lad.

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  9. My great grandad was Thomas Sanderson Purvis, who I understand was a teacher at the Wellesley school for the younger children before they were transferred to the training ship. I would love to know more if any further information is available or if you can point me in the right direction.

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  10. On the 1901 census my great great uncle was on the training ship at the age of 13. Are you able to give me more information on why he became on the ship and his circumstances.
    His date of birth 1887/88.
    Peter Richardson.
    Born in South Shields.

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  11. My Grandfather William Barnes born 1878/79 was listed in the 1891 census as being resident on the Wellesley. Could you please supply any information you may have as to him? Many Thanks David Barnes

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  12. Hi, my grandfather, William Holmes was listed as being on the ship when he was 9, and told a storey of saving the captains birds when the ship burned down. We always wondered if this was true. Any info would be great. Thank you.

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  13. My grandfather was William Melaney born 2 May 1889 in Gateshead, Durham. He is mentioned in the 1901 English census at the Greens Home Industrial School in South Shields, as an 11 year old. I would like to know if there are any records that are available to me regarding his admission and discharge from the school, including his mother and possible stepfather. I know very little about him, except that he did go to sea, because he deserted his ship with a couple of other men, when the ship docked in Brisbane QLD Australia, between 1904 and 1909, where he changed his surname from Melaney to Smith. Any information that you could provide to me would be very much appreciated.

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  14. I recently came across a newspaper from 1920 which included a small snippet of info about my great-grandfather’s brother, Eric Probets (born 1909). It mentions that he attended Green’s Home Industrial School and was committed there on August 1916. I’m just wondering what records/information there is for him.

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  15. My grandfather George William Jeffery appeared on the 1911 census age aprox 12 and then his name appears on the role of honour (date of discharge October 1st 1914) I would like to know when he was admitted to the Wellesley and the reason. Please can you contact me with information you may have or point me in the direction of where I may be able to find out.
    Thank you

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  16. My grand uncle, RICHARD ANDERSON b. 14.9.87 was listed on the Wellesley aged 14, as a boy under training. Could you, if possible, give me any information as to why he was put here and the dates please. Thank you.
    Judith Anderson

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  17. I have an inkwell made from wood taken from the Wellesley.

    My grandfather was superintendent of Northumberland reform schools and I presume it was given to him on his retirement.

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  18. My father, Henry Woodgett, and his brothers, John and James, were sent to Wellesley after their grandparents died in 1912. Would you age any information about dates they were there?

    Reply

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